The environmental impact of fossil fuel consumption has elevated the importance of energy efficiency and sustainability in the energy sector. In countries like Turkiye, where lignite reserves contain high levels of inherent moisture, improving the performance of coal drying systems in thermal power plants is critical. Integrating these systems with renewable energy sources, particularly solar energy, provides a promising pathway for reducing carbon emissions while enhancing drying efficiency. In this study, experimental investigations were conducted at temperatures between 150-250 degrees C on lignite samples of different particle sizes. Results demonstrated that moisture reduction rates reached up to 93%-equivalent to removing 930 g of water per kilogram of coal moisture - with final moisture contents falling below 5% at 250 degrees C after only 15 minutes. Particle size had a marked effect on drying performance: the -10 mm fraction achieved 98.6% moisture reduction, while the -18 + 10 mm fraction achieved 91.78%. These findings confirm that solar energy is intended to be employed for the coal dryer as a renewable energy input, reinforcing both the environmental and operational benefits of integrating clean energy into coal preparation. Overall, the study not only establishes a comprehensive dataset for lignite drying behavior under varying temperatures and exposure durations, but also demonstrates that, with heat input supplied by solar panels, it is possible to obtain products at desired target moisture levels. This dual emphasis on experimental validation and renewable integration highlights a practical and scalable pathway toward energy-efficient, low-carbon coal utilization strategies.